Theatrical stage



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(Apphcatlon led July 1B, 1898 No. 6l7.|54.

(Nn Model.)

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OLIVE GATES, OF 'NEW YORK, N. Y.

THEATRICAL STAGE APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,154, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed Tuly 18, 1898. Serial No. 686,312. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVE GATES, residing in New York city, Brooklyn borough, in the State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Theatrical Stage Appliances, of which the following is a full and exact specification.

My invention relates to that class of mechanisms which are made use of upon the stage to give the appearance of greater realism to representations of natural objects, and particularly to representations of iiowin'g water.

I am aware that representations of rain and of falling water have been used upon the dramatic stage; but hitherto no device has been known by which a practicable rapid or flowing stream could be utilized to carry a canoe or other water craft or apparently-floatin g object. The appearance of the flowing water is very eective, and as the mechanical means are entirely concealed by a suitable adjustment of scenery the stage effect is highly real* istic. This effect is entirely novel and is increased, and the device is utilized in dramatic representations by the use of the boat hereinafter referred to; but this combined effect and utility is only obtainable through the use of a device producing the natural effect of the flowing water.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a stage provided with my appliance. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3 of the mechanical part of my invention, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Similar letters represent like parts in the several figures.

Ais the bed or base of the apparatus and is provided with sides F F to retain the water.

B is an opening or slot adapted to receive the guide d', which is attached to the boat O along the channels e e, and With the guides d d', which retain the boat upon the ways and guide it in the line of the slot B.

T is a representation of a rock orother object arranged at the upper end ofthe device to conceal the entrance to the slot and chute.

In the practical operation of my device the guides d CZ are introduced into the slot E at a portion of the chute which is concealed be hind the rock T. The rollers D D support the boat O upon the ways or channels e e, and the force of gravity causes the boat to slide to the other end of the apparatus, which is also arranged beyond the public view. W inn dicates the water. While passing along the chute, the guides d d retain the boat in the desired direction and in conjunction with the rollers preserve its upright position. The water rippling over the corrugations of E will add to the naturalness of the scene.

In the practical working. of my device it will often be found necessary to vary the pitch and curves of the chute and to arrange different objects as screens at the ends andto make additions of other scenic features. For example, I have shown my invention. in Fig.. l in connection with a waterfall placed at the head or upper end of the chute; but such a combination is not necessary to the practical use of my invention, the essential features of which are the inclined chute and the devices for guiding and retaining the boat or other apparently-iioating object in its desired position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

In a mechanical stage appliance, the combination with a boat or similar object having guides affixed thereto and friction devices arranged upon the same, of an inclined chute or Waterway adapted and intended to support such boat and to permit and control the passage of Water over its own surface and provided with a slot or guideway adapted to receive and hold the guide or guides affixed. to such boat, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

OLIVE GATES..

Witnesses:

Louis E. SALMON, WARREN R. DIX. 

